APIA, SAMOA – 18 JULY 2023: Samoa Immigration has a new uniform that will help enhance the visibility of Samoa Immigration at the borders, as part of its preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that Samoa will host in October 2024.
The new uniform was launched by the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa at the Ministry’s main office yesterday morning. The new uniform included a full set for both male and female immigration officers, rank slides, an identification badge, and an official cap.
The Prime Minister Fiamē welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the partnership between the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) that funded the uniforms.
The Prime Minister receives a gift from the Chief immigration Officer, Siaopo Pese at the launch of the official uniform.
The PIDC is a regional organisation that gained legal entity status in 2015, and subsequently established its headquarters in Apia in 2016. The Organisation has 21 member countries including Australia and New Zealand. Samoa is a permanent member on the PIDC’s Management Board.
“The essence of having a uniform epitomizes unity and identifies a group or an organisation that works together for a common goal. And while that is important, having a duty bound workforce with a result driven spirit for the betterment of society, are of greater significance,” says the Prime Minister.
She encouraged Immigration officers to be more vigilant in the performance of their prescribed duties at the borders.
“The new uniform is their armour and a constant reminder to all who will don this uniform, about their calling to safeguard Samoa’s national borders,” added Prime Minister Fiamē.
Chief Executive Officer, Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo reiterated the need for stronger strategic focus and well-coordinated immigration work at the regulated ports of entry to ensure national security, safety of travellers, and timely identification of transnational crimes.
The Prime Minister an Immigration staff in their official uniform.
